Kaspersky clarifies after Facebook Android app feature insinuations

Caught in a flap after its insinuations about a Facebook Android app feature that it claimed read SMSes, Kaspersky Labs has backtracked on the report.

In a press mail sent to The Indian Express, security giant Kaspersky's team clarified that it was ''not the source of the news'' that said  Facebook was reading SMSes from phones, but had ''only commented on the technical aspect''.

The issue seemed to have arisen since the company's earlier presser made it sound like it was making claims about Facebook's Android app snooping, according to commentators.

In a mail yesterday, Kaspersky sent out a statement that read, ''Over the last few days there has been a constant scrutiny over Facebook having access to your SMS. Buried within the latest update for Facebook's Android app is a feature that is causing growing concern among some users.''

According to the mail, in the app permissions menu, the site asked for access to read users' text messages – SMS and MMS – as also add and modify calendar events and send emails to guests without the knowledge of the owner.

Kaspersky went on to explain that the logic behind seeking SMS access was that when one added a phone number to user account, Facebook would be able to confirm the authenticity of the number automatically by finding the confirmation code within a text message.

However, in another email, Kaspersky sent out later, it said, ''On behalf of Kaspersky Lab, we would like to clarify that we are not the source of the news, but have only commented on the technical aspect. This email was sent out to media at large hoping that we will get queries & would respond to it accordingly. Kaspersky Lab would thus like to clarify their position and state that they are not holding Facebook responsible for this in any manner & are only commenting on the news that has already been published.''

It seems there were no response on the story and reports were put out solely on the PR mailer which seemed to put everything in black and white with no need for follow-ups.